In recent weeks, the entire Vermont landscape has become more colorful. The leaves are changing as deciduous trees begin depleting their leaves of chlorophyl, turning them bright orange, red, and yellow shades, and shedding them in order to conserve energy during the cold, dry winter months. This phenomenon is dramatic at Rock Point. There was evidence of this change during the second visit as well; dead leaves scattered the path and some trees displayed hints of warm colors. Now, as we reach the end of October, the warm colors are far more vibrant and widespread. Pretty much every deciduous tree has begun changing their leave’s color and some even appear bare. The leaves crushed along the path are more than just dusty brown bits as fresh, vivid leaves lay create a new leaf layer. These leaves will soon become the same brown dust that lays below them.
During the previous visit, there was not much to note as far as wildlife goes. Some squirrels were spotted here and there, but I predict because Rock Point exists on a popular hiking trail with lots of foot traffic, it is not where the wildlife prefer to be. Nonetheless, a few squirrels were spotted scurrying around in search of a nut to burry or a spot to burry an already-acquired acorn. Some small song birds were also seen landing on trees, but it is likely there were more birds visible during the previous visit as many fly south to follow the warmth or simply become less active during the winter months. As a result, the distant chirping of birds has grown more faint.
